Lining up a boat or a personal watercraft while loading it on the trailer can pose challenges, especially if you need to submerge your trailer deeply, the water is too dirty to see the trailer underwater at the ramp, or wind or current pushes the hull sideways while loading. Over the years, a variety of devices have been used to help align hulls on trailers in these conditions, including posts and poles at the back of the trailer and vertical boards along the sides. 

But now Taylor Made (a division of Lippert) has introduced a new system called EasyGuide. Made of durable injection-molded nylon, the system uses floats that raise to the surface on articulating arms when you back the trailer into the water. The contoured floats visually guide you and keep your boat centered as you drive or winch it onto the trailer. Designed for craft weighing 1,500 pounds or less, the system is easy to install and use.

EasyGuide comes in a one-size-fits-all kit and is best suited for single-axle trailers—the type typically found under many PWC and aluminum freshwater boats. The kit includes all the parts you need, except for U-bolts to mount the base brackets and float rests. You will need to buy the U-bolts separately in the proper width and length to fit your trailer frame. The articulating arms also offer 16 inches of fore and aft adjustability to position and align the floats with the back frame of most trailers. Here’s how they install on a single-axle trailer.

Skill Level: 1 out of 5

Finish Time: Approx. 1 hour

Tools and Supplies

• Taylor Made EasyGuide kit ($299.95; store.lci1.com/easyguide-by-taylor-made-2022106874) 
• Four U-bolts as needed for 2-, 3- or 4-inch frames, with matching backing plates and locknuts
• Two ⁹/₁₆-inch wrenches and one ⁷/₁₆-inch wrench 
• Phillips screwdriver

Assemble the Floats

After you unpack the kit, take apart the bottom and top parts of each float. You will need to reassemble them with the supplied hardware. But first place a bead of the supplied clear sealant around the interior perimeter of the bottom part, and then reassemble it with the top part using the supplied No. 12 screws (12 for each float). Put a dab of sealant in each screw hole before threading and tightening the screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Once assembled, set both floats aside to let the sealant cure. 

Install the Trailer Base Plate

The supplied pair of trailer base plates will fit 2-, 3- or 4-inch-wide trailer frames. For our installation, we used 2-inch-wide U-bolts to the fit the 2-inch-wide trailer frame and matched them with backing plates and locknuts—two sets for each plate. Position and bolt the plates to the top of the trailer frame just forward of the fender, but don’t completely tighten the hardware because you will later need to slide the plate back or forward slightly to adjust the position of the float on the trailer.

Connect the Arms

Assemble the two-piece arms, inserting the male tab into the female slot. Tap them together to tighten. Use the supplied 1/4-inch bolts and locknuts to secure the two pieces. Insert the tines on one end of the arm (with the flat side up) into the slots of the base plate. Next, insert the tines on the other side of the arm into the slots on the underside of the float. Use the suppled pivot bolts and locknuts to connect the arm to the plate at one end and to  the float at the other. Loosely connect and do not tighten this hardware for now.

Position the Floats

The back edge of the floats need to align with the aft edge of the trailer’s rear cross member when the floats are resting in the down position. Slide each of the loosely connected base plates forward or backward slightly until each float is in this correct position on the trailer frame. Next, install the supplied float-rest pieces under each float with one U-bolt, a backing plate and two locknuts. (These U-bolt assemblies are not supplied.) Align the rests with the back portions of the floats, but do not tighten for now.

Tighten Hardware

With the assemblies aligned in the correct positions on each side of the trailer, you can now tighten the hardware, including the U-bolts and arm pivot pins. Do not overtighten any of the hardware to help prevent warping or cracking the plates, arms and floats. Test the functionality of the EasyGuide system at the launch ramp, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure smooth operation and alignment between the trailer and the boat hull, as outlined in the ­owner’s ­manual.

The post How to Install the EasyGuide Trailer Glide-On System appeared first on Boating Mag.

I have the Google, so I know it was film icon Bette Davis who observed that old age ain’t no place for sissies. I’m not saying that my good friend Chuck Larson is a sissy, but he sure has been complaining since he hit the Medicare milestone this summer. When he came limping into the Lake View Inn last week, I was prepared for the griping. I slipped onto the adjacent bar stool and asked, “How goes it?”

“Oh, you don’t know the shape I’m in,” Chuck said. “My big toe’s been sore for a week. Turns out, I have gout! Who gets gout? Didn’t Henry VIII have gout?”

“I think that’s treatable,” I replied.

“Sure, it is. Doc says just cut fish and vodka out of my diet,” Chuck said. “While you enjoy your Friday fish fry, I guess I’ll just nibble on the cheese curds. It’s just one thing after another. There’s gout. The optometrist says she detects creeping cataracts. Marlene keeps nagging at me to get to Costco for hearing aids. And now she’s joking about the benefits of a testosterone patch. Out of nine lives, I’ve spent seven.”

“Are you sure she’s joking about the patch?” asked Wally from behind the bar. “At least she still cares.”

Unlike our weight or height, I think age is subjective. We each have a date of birth, of course, but what really matters is how old we think we are. Research is revealing that our subjective age is the reason why some people flourish as they age while others fade, and having a younger subjective age might lower the risk of dementia and stave off mortality.

I have to occasionally remind myself that when I flirt with the young waitress, she sees a gray-haired codger, not a dashing 36-year-old marine journalist. It was just this past April that Chuck dialed back his subjective age and squeezed into a wetsuit to lap the lake on a slalom ski. But now gout and the rest have advanced Chuck’s subjective age beyond his actual age. I want to encourage Chuck to change course in this regard.

“Chuck, have you seen Martha Stewart on the cover of the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue?” I asked. “She’s 81 years old.”

“Oh, I love Martha!”

“Who doesn’t love Martha? But when she posed in that swimsuit, I bet she was 50 in her head. You need to change your mindset again and start thinking you’re about 40.”

“I still had a full dose of testosterone at 40,” Chuck said. “And I could hear out of my left ear.”

Read Next: Out of Gas

Then I told Chuck about my ride this past April in a 33-foot Executioner with racing champion and fast-boat legend Reggie Fountain—on his 83rd birthday.

“Reggie did not hop off the dock into the cockpit,” I said. “He’s flipped over a few tunnel boats in his life, and it shows. But he took command at the helm, and as soon as we got on plane, Reggie had the throttles to the wall, the boat trimmed pretty and running 90 mph like it was still 1980. I looked at his hands on the wheel and saw the age spots, but there was a nice grin on his face. He was so diggin’ it. It was one of the best moments in my career.”

Stop thinking old. Be like Reggie.

The post Be Like Reggie Fountain appeared first on Boating Mag.

Testing spotlights and flashlights is tricky, especially now that all the best offerings are LED.

Each LED emits an amount of light measured in lumens. You’d think 3,000 lumens would be brighter than 1,000 lumens and would illuminate more at a greater distance. Our tests proved that hypothesis wrong. Lumens matter, but the geometry of the light bezel and dome matter equally. We found that a lower-lumen light could illuminate a target farther away than a higher-lumen light—it was all in the geometry of the bezel and reflector.

Metering Light

First, we illuminated the CM/3 light sensor on our meter. Every light, whether 1,000 or 3,000 lumens, overpowered the meter.

Next, we measured the light emitted onto the sensor from 30 feet away. That data was also inconclusive.

Third, we took the lights out on Charlotte Harbor in Florida and illuminated the inlet markers at Punta Gorda’s Ponce de Leon Park inlet. All the lights produced a bright reflection from the farthest marker more than one-quarter mile away.

Fourth, we secured the boat 1.2 miles away from an Intracoastal Waterway marker and hit it with all the lights, one at a time. All of them produced a reflection of that marker, an attribute we thought made each a useful navigation tool. But—and this is an interesting but—some of our lights illuminated the marker post, and did so clearly. And it wasn’t always those with the most registered lumens.

All the listed spotlights are rechargeable, and all include charging equipment. All but one of the selected lights floated. Though all are advertised as waterproof, we found one that was not.

Streamlight Waypoint 400

The Waypoint is rugged and feels that way the second you touch it. It’s got an IPX8 rating for shock and is waterproof and floats. High-, medium- and low-light settings conserve batteries when maximum illumination isn’t needed. It is the second-largest light on our roster, which is not surprising considering the shock-resisting capability. $140.67; amazon.com

Best: This light had an efficient selector lever to choose high, medium or low illumination without toggling through those settings with the trigger. All the others required the user to toggle through high, medium and low to shut off the light. Also, a stainless-steel ring at the back allows it to hang with a downward-facing beam. A ring at the top allows it to hang as a trouble light, and an adjustable foldout bracket makes it a useful hands-free light for service work.

Worst: It took pliers to close the charge port to waterproof the light—party foul.

Beam Me Up: Lumens don’t tell the whole story. This one lit the marker post from 1.2 miles away in spite of its middling lumens rating. However, it is a pencil beam and required a spot-on aim to illuminate a dock or marker.

Best Case: We liked it for running the inlet with a straight row of markers and for finding distant markers by scanning the horizon from side to side. Frog giggers (you know who you are) will like this light.

Specifications

• Maximum Lumens: 1,400
• Battery Time (Hours): 3.25 on high, 7.5 on medium, 84 on low
• Weight: 1.5 lb.
• Dimensions: 6 3/4-by-7 1/3-by-3 2/3-in. diameter
• Accessories: 120V charge cord, 12V charge cord, wrist lanyard, wall mount

Goodsmann Sirius

This light is rugged, watertight and floats. We selected this model for its high-lumen rating. Because it looks suspiciously like West Marine’s 3,000-lumen rechargeable light, and the specs align, we felt we could knock off two reviews in one product. It has high, medium and low settings, along with an SOS function. It is made of rugged plastic, with rubber armor on the aluminum bezel and handles to protect the device. There are three LED chips to make the total 3,000 lumens. Each is in its own reflective bezel, which creates a wide, bright beam. $79.99; amazon.com

Best: A watertight cap (secured with a small lanyard) twists off on the back, revealing the charge port. Its battery life is impressive.

Worst: Having to toggle through high beam, medium, low and SOS to turn it off is annoying.

Beam Me Up: Its design advantage is an extremely bright and impressively wide beam that illuminates an arc of roughly 150 degrees, but it doesn’t have the long reach of the Streamlight. While it didn’t illuminate the post at 1.2 miles, it did illuminate the reflective channel marker on it.

Best Case: We liked it for navigating tricky waters with rocks and bars because the wide beam can pick up obstacles outside the periphery of other lights. It’s capable as an underwater dive light. Bully netters will like its wide beam.

Specifications

• Maximum Lumens: 1,400
• Battery Time (Hours): 6.5 to 7.5 on high, 20 on medium, 38 on low
• Weight: 1.08 lb.
• Dimensions: 6 7/8-by-4-by-7 7/8 in.
• Accessories: 120V charge cord, 12V charge cord, wrist lanyard, foldout trouble light stand

Goodsmann Artemis

This light is built tough, with an armored lens bezel and an aluminum bezel mount for durability, longevity and heat dissipation. It’s waterproof and floats. Removing the screw-on base cap at the back of the light requires a strong grip, but it gives access to the recharging port and a USB output port for device charging. We liked its compact, stout feel in the hand. The built-in stand on top folds out for road-hazard work or to prop it up at a campsite. A lanyard is available. It lit our target at 1.2 miles, but not as distinctly as the Streamlight Waypoint. $60; amazon.com

Best: It has a trigger lock, so it won’t turn on accidentally, avoiding wasted batteries at best or fire from heat buildup at worst. None of our other test lights could boast such a feature. We liked the phone charger.

Worst: That annoying trigger toggle-through setting to get through high, medium and low to turn it off slows down operation.

Beam Me Up: A great light, plus a USB phone-charging port.

Best Case: This light is compact and powerful, ideal for spotting targets at long range, and it has a broad enough beam at close range to offer some peripheral illumination. We liked its heft.

Specifications

• Maximum Lumens: 2,000
• Battery Time (Hours): 6.5 to 7.5 on high, 20 on medium, 38 on low
• Weight: 1.97 lb.
• Dimensions: 5 3/4-by-3-in. diameter
• Accessories: 120V micro USB charge cable/adapter, wrist lanyard, whistle

Streamlight Stinger 2020

This high-lumen light is designed with a durable, compact, portable aluminum body. Though it is among the highest-lumen lights we tested, its reflector is designed for a broad flood of white light rather than an extremely long beam. It barely reflected from our 1.2-mile target, but its lighting is impressive inside of 100 to 200 yards, and on high it provided ample light to illuminate a half-mile series of navigation reflectors. It fits comfortably in the hand. It has high, medium and low settings. $159; amazon.com; Cabelas.com

Best: Its rechargeable batteries are removable and replaceable, extending its useful life. We loved the rock-solid wall-mountable charger holder.

Worst: It’s water-resistant, not waterproof. However, the battery door and switches appear waterproof. A longer battery life on high would be appreciated, but the low level still lit the waterway for safer navigation. This light does
not float.

Beam Me Up: Mount this light by the helm and use it to spotlight into the boat slip or pick your way through weeds, timber or other obstacles.

Best Case: It is built solid and substantial, like it was milled from bar stock.

Specifications

• Maximum Lumens: 2,000
• Battery Time (Hours): 2 on high, 4 on medium, 24 on low
• Weight: 12.3 oz.
• Dimensions: 7 2/3-by-1 2/3 in.
• Accessories: 120V charger, 12V charger, wall-mount charge bracket

Read Next: 5 Lessons in Night Navigation

Yierblue YB 953 Rechargeable Spotlight

Its Amazon-advertised 160,000 lumens is disputed by package specifications listing 800 lumens. However, it did illuminate our distant target almost as well as the Streamlight. A near-blinding floodlight beam on the side is handy for camping and emergencies, and an included tripod makes it easy to use. There are separate triggers for the spotlight and floodlight. A green LED charge indicator on the back below the silicone door to the charge input port is a cool 5-volt charge output port for phones. $36; amazon.com

Best: It’s bright, lightweight and can float. Its pencil beam lets users focus on distant objects. The phone charge port is great, making it a good buy at the price. A trouble light on the side is useful for service work.

Worst: Its ABS plastic bezel rim is unarmored and could be fragile. Touted to be waterproof to 1 meter, but ours took on water immediately. Toggling through high, medium and low to shut it off is annoying. The same goes for the trouble light on the side.

Beam Me Up: The USB output port and the 1/4-by-20-inch threaded tripod adapter and tripod add versatility.

Best Case: Yierblue offers a no-questions lifetime guarantee to compensate for an acknowledged reliability issue.

Specifications

• Maximum Lumens: 800
• Battery Time (Hours): 10 on high, 20 on low
• Weight: 1.7 lb.
• Dimensions: 7-by-8-by-4 in.
• Accessories: 120V charger, 12V charger, tripod, wrist lanyard

Light Beams

When looking for a spotlight for your boat, review your priorities. On smaller, familiar waters, you likely won’t need a blinding pencil beam and would benefit from a wider beam to find gear in the boat or dropped overboard. If your light will double as a camping or hunting light, a pencil beam can be helpful and so is a trouble light. We found the built-in light stands extremely useful, and not having one would be a deal breaker for all but standard flashlight designs.

Streamlight and Goodsmann brought the best lights to our test. Streamlight has been a workman’s and sportsman’s brand for decades, and has proven reliable for all those years. Goodsmann manufactures all types of lighting for decor, landscaping and security, as well as a number of spotlights. 

The post Top Spotlights for Boaters appeared first on Boating Mag.

If it’s been a while since you bought new tow vehicle, you might be surprised by the many built-in advancements in trailering technology. New tow tech ranges from integrated weight scales and adaptive suspensions to systems that automatically back up your truck to hitch up your trailer. Here are a few examples to look for.

Onboard Scale

There’s no more guessing about the tongue weight of your boat trailer with an onboard scale. The system available in the 2023 Ford F-150 pickup, for example, can estimate your tongue weight on a conventional hitch and show the number through the dash ­display or a code in the smart taillights. It will advise if the tongue weight is too high or too low.

Hitch Up With AI

Ford’s Pro Trailer Hitch Assist available for the Ford F-Series pickup uses artificial intelligence, including computer vision and machine learning, to automatically back up and align a truck’s hitch ball to a trailer coupler with the push of a button. It automatically controls the truck’s speed, steering and braking to make hitching up an easy, single-handed task.

Backup Assistance

Features such as Ram Truck’s Trailer Reverse Steering Control with a knob (instead of the wheel) on the dash let you steer in reverse while viewing the trailer in the center-console display (instead of the mirrors). Then there’s Ford’s optional Pro Backup ­Assist. Rotate a knob to indicate how much the system should turn the trailer, then it automatically steers the truck and trailer the desired amount.

What a View!

Camera ­systems significantly improve situational awareness for trailer boaters. The 2023 Chevy Silverado pickup, for example, is available with eight cameras that offer 15 different views around your rig to keep an eye on both your tow vehicle and trailer boat while hitching up, on the highway, at the launch ramp, or just backing into your driveway.

Trailer Light Diagnostics

Remember when you had to walk around your boat trailer to check the lights while ­someone in the truck activated the brakes, turn signals and running lights? That’s a thing of the past with systems such as Ford’s Smart Trailer Tow Connector, which informs you if any of the running or brake/turn-indicator lights are malfunctioning, telling you exactly which one needs ­attention.

Tow/Haul Mode

When the Tow/Haul mode is combined with today’s 6- to 10-speed ­automatic transmissions, it maximizes towing power and efficiency. The Toyota Tundra’s Tow/Haul mode, for instance, can hold lower gears longer when accelerating, decelerating, and on long grades while trailering. Tow/Haul mode will also pick the best gear to keep the engine revving in its power band and lock out overdrive gears. It also adds engine braking to help in slowing your rig while towing.

Adaptive Suspension Systems

Some of today’s trucks feature systems that compensate for the weight of a ­trailer to prevent the rear suspension from sagging. For instance, the Ram’s Active-Level ­Four-Corner Air Suspension uses air pressure to automatically level the truck to its natural ride height when the system detects the load of a trailer on the hitch. In another example, Ford’s available Adaptive Suspension monitors loading, vehicle speed, road conditions, and steering to adjust shock absorber stiffness and damping for enhanced vehicle control when towing.

The post Towing-Vehicle Tech That Assists Boaters appeared first on Boating Mag.

Much reporting focuses on reasons why one might choose electric marine power. The issues of range, speed, noise levels, winterizing and ethanol challenges, lake restrictions, environmental concerns and more all must be resolved on an individual basis. Little gets said about how a boater choosing to repower with electric actually gets that accomplished. Is it DIY? And if not, how does it get done?

Are you considering repowering with electric? Here’s a look at what it takes to cut the fuel line and plug in.

How Fast, How Far and How Long?

Electric propulsion can provide speed, range and runtime, but not all at once. An electric boat, motor and battery combination might top 25 mph for an hour. The same boat can also travel more than 50 miles at 6 mph, or longer still at slower speed. That makes the first step in going electric determining how far, in miles, you want to go fast, and how long, in hours, you need to go slow. Then match a motor and batteries to suit.

Portable Propulsion (DIY)

For small boats pushed to modest speeds, small, light options from ePropulsion, Torqeedo and Elco—equivalent to 3 hp gas outboards—easily clamp onto a transom yet store within a lazarette without worry of spilled gas. Most go for about an hour at full throttle, or 90 minutes at cruising speed, from one integrated or small external battery. These range from $2,500 to $3,500 for the motor, battery and charger.

Hardwired ­Horsepower (DIY or Dealer)

Elco, Torqeedo, ePropulsion and Flux offer motors equivalent to gas outboards from 5 hp to 25 hp. These typically connect to fixed battery banks mounted aboard. Most companies offer self-installation packages that call upon basic mechanical skills. All facilitate turnkey installation through dealer networks. Flux eliminates DIY installation, partly because its outboards utilize higher voltages than ­others in this ­horsepower range. 

These midsize motors tend to work best for bigger boats at slower speeds. Elco, for example, says its EP-20 can push a 24-foot pontoon boat about 8 mph for two hours, while the same charge provides more than 10 hours of battery life at 5 mph; the cost is around $11,500. Just be sure to choose adequate power to dock in a breeze and then back off the throttle to extend range.

Planing Power (Dealer, Some DIY)

Elco, Torqeedo and Flux offer motors comparable to ICE outboards from 30 hp through 100 hp. Most utilize twice the operating volts compared to companies’ smaller outboards, with those added volts providing more short-term power, which is needed for the few high-load moments while boats climb fully onto plane. Only Elco facilitates DIY installation within this power range, even offering pre-made cables, equipment and accessories. The complete package propelling Rock Proof’s ePro 1760R, a boat we tested in Boating’s March 2023 issue, utilizes Elco’s EP-50 and 20 kWh of lithium batteries; it sells for about $22,500.

Inboard Options (Dealer, Some DIY)

While Elco has offered modern electric-­propelled launches since 1987 and inboard repower options since 2009, its newest inboard motors are one-third smaller and half the weight of previous models, illustrating industry trends. Torqeedo and, recently, ePropulsion also offer powerful, light inboard motors for either repower or OEM installation. Most are intended to operate at modest speed, although Torqeedo offers three models operating at higher rpm for planing boats—its largest replaces 135 hp ICE engines while weighing one-third of a comparable ICE inboard motor and transmission (195 pounds plus batteries versus 567 pounds for a 135 hp MerCruiser 3.0 bobtail). A ­complete system with batteries that can run 50 minutes at full throttle costs about $120,000.

Read Next: Going Electric to Repower an Antique Boat

Batteries

Electric motors ranging from 5 hp to 25 hp typically operate at 24 or 48 volts. This provides the broadest battery choices to balance size, weight, range and cost. All Elco and many Torqeedo motors accommodate any brand or battery type that meets specifications, adding flexibility. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries, for instance, save considerable dollars compared to lithium for slow-speed boats. Larger motors, particularly when boats approach planing speed, require lithium batteries, which are half the weight yet provide higher continuous output compared to AGM.

The post Things to Consider When Repowering With Electric Motors appeared first on Boating Mag.

Brunswick siblings ­Mercury Marine and Navico Group have teamed up to create the next version of the ­Fathom ­e-power system supercharged by a new outboard motor alternator. Fathom—a ­lithium-­ion auxiliary power system designed to replace a generator—debuted at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show installed in a Sea Ray SLX 400 Outboard. It’s been offered as an accessory for the past year. At the recent introduction of the ­Mercury V-10 Verado 350 and 400 hp outboards, a new Fathom component was revealed: a dual-mode 48-volt/12-volt alternator, capable of delivering up to 6.5kW of power (per engine) in 48V mode. The dual-mode alternator will be a component on the Mercury V-10 350 and 400 hp and V-12 600 hp Verado outboards only when those motors are rigged to a boat with the Fathom e-power system. Beginning in 2023, Brunswick will make the Fathom ­e-power system available to boatbuilders that are not part of the Brunswick Boat Group. Because of the complexity of integrating the entire ­Fathom system with the boat’s electrical system, we don’t expect builders, including Sea Ray, to offer Fathom with the 48-volt alternator before the 2024 boat season. Boatbuilders will determine retail pricing. Sea Ray is currently pricing Fathom with 12-volt engine charging at $26,400. There is no credit for the value of a ­deleted 7.5 kW genset.

The ability to charge the Fathom e-power battery bank from shore power or the outboard charging system is a great feature, but the charge rate with a 12-volt alternator, even with three motors on the transom, is so slow as to not be very practical; Navico estimates 10 hours of required run time to reach full charge from 20 percent charge. With the 48-volt alternator, the battery bank could, in ­theory, charge in a quarter of that time if no accessories are in use. But even if the AC and other power-hungry gadgets are running, the 48-volt alternator can quickly add significant charge.

To take full advantage of this newfound charging power, Navico Group has made some design changes to the ­Fathom system. When the boat is running at speed, the house batteries can be bypassed and the alternator will power ­accessories through a converter or directly power 48-volt appliances and accessories, thus preserving energy stored in the batteries. The Fathom 2.0 system will also seamlessly maintain charge in the house batteries, which in turn charge the engine-cranking batteries.

Read Next: Navico Fathom e-Power

The most interesting new element of the Fathom system is called Power+ mode. If the boat is at rest away from shore power and the house batteries reach a low-charge threshold, the Fathom system will send an alert on the boat’s multifunction display or through the Fathom app. The skipper may then choose to engage Power+ mode through the MFD touchscreen. In this mode, an outboard with the 48-volt alternator is started under the control of the ­Fathom system and throttled up to no more than 2,500 rpm to charge the house batteries. A number of safety protocols are automatically engaged in Power+ mode: Shifting and steering are electronically locked out. If CO₂ is ­detected in a cabin, the motor is shut down; the cowl must be in place on the motor; and exhaust temperature and water pressure are monitored to ensure that the boat is in the water. The motor has a separate internal hour meter for ­Power+ mode, and time recorded at this low rpm is not counted on the motor’s total runtime; Mercury says that wear on the engine is negligible at this low rpm. Anglers should note that to generate a 48-volt charge, the outboard needs to reach at least 1,300 rpm. At lower rpm, the system will be charging the house bank at 12 volts rather than 48 volts, perhaps not enough to keep up with load if AC, a gyro stabilizer and other accessories are running during long periods of trolling. In this situation, you’d need to suspend trolling and engage the Power+ mode, run at speed to charge the house batteries, or shut down some accessories.

The Fathom e-power system is an example of the vertical integration Brunswick hopes to leverage as it implements its Autonomy, Connectivity, Electrification and Shared Access (ACES) strategy. Fathom integrates components from Mercury and Navico Group brands, including Mastervolt, BEP, CZone, Ancor and Blue Sea Systems. Each Fathom system is scaled to the power demands of an individual boat and anticipated use patterns. For more information, visit fathomepower.com.

The post The Benefits of 48-Volt Charging in Fathom 2.0 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Move the throttle lever, and ­Mercury Racing’s 500R outboard crushes you into the seat or bolster. There’s torque to spare all the way to its max-rated 6,600 rpm. It proved a blast testing aboard various boat types, from pontoons to center-consoles to high-performance catamarans. The 500R’s supercharged whine will appeal to serious speed and power devotees.

This 4.6-liter V-8 delivers this visceral experience thanks to its supercharger. Belt-driven, the supercharger forces more air into the engine, resulting in more torque and power. ­Mercury Racing says it delivers 10 percent more torque than the 450R, which it replaces, and it increases boost pressure by 26 percent.

The 500R also boasts many technological innovations. For instance, a humidity sensor monitors intake air. This allows the engine ECM to combine humidity, air-pressure and air-temperature data to determine the ideal spark timing. It is the first marine engine with humidity compensation.

Mercury Racing claims that 30 more horsepower is made available in high humidity thanks to this technology.

I’ll note here that none of the test boats were dialed in yet. Mounting heights, propellers, etc., had not yet been optimized. As such, Boating’s certified test results will appear in the coming months.

The 500R’s new midsection, called the Advanced Racing Core (ARC), includes a stronger transom plate with 3 inches of vertical adjustment via seven mounting holes, twice the adjustment range of the 450R. An enhanced trim system features two primary hydraulic rams, plus two new booster rams for added trim authority. Slowed trim speed permits more precise trim adjustment at high speeds. Precision-fitted, heavy-duty guide plates and stiffened engine mounts stabilize the engine, ­enhancing handling.

The 500R’s new, more durable 5.9-inch-diameter gear case, called the R-Drive, comes in two versions. Each features a crescent leading edge and fits 17-inch-diameter propellers.

Both R-Drive variants offer low-water pickups; a torpedo shape to thrive in submerged, transition (semi-surfacing) and full-surfacing applications; and a 1.60-to-1 gear ratio. A new intermediate spray plate reduces drag in submerged and transition applications. An adjustable nose-cap pickup system optimizes cooling water flow for submerged and transition applications, and for fully surfaced, ultra-high-speed vessels. A new water pump increases cooling capacity by 57 percent. Compared to the 450R, drive shafts increased to 1 inch from 7/8 inch, and the prop-shaft diameter increased to 1.5 inches from 1.25 inches.

Read Next: Testing the New Mercury Racing 300R Outboard

The base R-Drive is designed for boats capable of speeds between 85 and 100 mph, beyond the speed range of the Mercury Racing 5.44 HD gear case. Many high-speed center-­console boats fall into this ­category. The R-Drive gear case is offered with left- or right-hand camber to balance steering force with standard and counter-rotation props.

The R-Drive Sport is for ultra-­high-speed surfacing applications, primarily high-­performance catamarans and center-consoles capable of 100-plus mph. It features a longer skeg, allowing steering control while fully surfaced at high mounting heights. The R-Drive Sport skeg is available with no camber or with a right-hand camber for single-engine boats. The variant’s prop shaft is made from an ultra-high-strength aerospace stainless-steel alloy similar to that of the Mercury Racing M6 and M8 sterndrive prop shafts. The crankshaft, rods, bearings and pistons have also been updated.

Weighing about 720 pounds, Mercury Racing’s 500R is available in shaft lengths up to 35 inches. It can be mounted on 26-inch centers. Choose between Phantom Black or Cold Fusion White. It comes with a three-year warranty.

Suggested retail on the 500R is $72,000 to $84,500. Color, shaft length, gear case and application impact the pricing. For more information, visit mercuryracing.com.

The post Mercury Racing 500R Outboard appeared first on Boating Mag.

Communications devices using satellite technology are more abundant today than any time in the past. What’s more, many are portable, ultra-compact, relatively affordable and designed for boating, dispelling any perceptions that you need a big, expensive dome antenna aloft to access satellite communications.

Today’s portable satellite ­communicators can wirelessly integrate with mobile devices to turn your smartphone into a satphone when cruising or fishing outside cell coverage. This lets you stay connected anywhere and provides a means of hailing rescue agencies. Here are examples.

ACR Bivy Stick

The waterproof Bivy Stick from ACR wirelessly turns your cellphone into a satphone. Using the Iridium satellite network, it includes text messaging, an SOS button to contact the Bivy Global Rescue Center, location sharing and weather reports. You can also activate the SOS feature through the Bivy app. Measuring 4.47 inches long by 1.85 inches wide by 0.83 inches deep, it provides you with a dedicated phone number and email so that others also can reach you. $299.99, plus a satellite service plan starting at as little as $14.99 per month.

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Garmin’s inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator and navigation device offers messaging and can send an interactive SOS message to the Garmin International Emergency Response Coordination Center. It automatically records activities and stores routes. Measuring 4 inches tall by 2 inches wide, the IPX7 waterproof-­rated device wirelessly pairs with Garmin GPSMap series chart plotters and the quatix 7 series marine GPS smartwatches. It includes a rechargeable lithium battery and 12-volt power cable. $449.99, with plans as low as $11.95 per month; garmin.com

Iridium Go

The Iridium Go taps into the Iridium satellite network to serve as a waterproof onboard Wi-Fi hotspot for voice calling and text messaging with your smartphone using the Iridium Go app. It also offers the ability to send one-touch SOS alerts for 24/7 emergency assistance, access GPS data, and receive weather forecasts. Measuring 4.5 inches long by 3.23 inches wide by 1.26 inches high, the unit features a lay-flat design, a flip-up antenna and a simple user interface. The rechargeable battery provides up to five and a half hours of talk time. Starting at about $855, plus a service plan as low as $65 per month; iridium.com

Spot X

The waterproof Spot X device serves as a satellite messaging device to communicate with family, fishing buddies and business colleagues, as well as access 24/7 search and rescue services in case of emergency. The SOS feature enables messaging back and forth about the nature of your distress. You can also wirelessly connect your smartphone to the device via the Spot X app. Measuring 6.54 inches high by 2.9 inches wide by 0.94 inches deep, Spot X provides you with a personal mobile US phone number so others can ­message you ­directly from their cellphones or other SMS devices at any time. $249.99, plus a service plan starting as low as $11.95 per month; findmespot.com

Zoleo

The waterproof satellite communicator from Zoleo provides seamless messaging, SOS alerting and location awareness. Measuring 3.35 inches long by 2.6 inches wide by 1.06 inches high, it pairs with mobile devices via Bluetooth and the free Zoleo app to provide messaging via the Iridium satellite network. This lets you message your contacts, check weather forecasts, and share your GPS coordinates with family and friends. It offers more than 200 hours of battery life on a single charge. $199.99, plus a service plan starting at $20 per month for 25 satellite ­messages; zoleo.com

iPhone Satcom

You don’t need a portable satellite communicator to turn a cellphone into a satphone if you have Apple’s iPhone 14. It is available with an emergency SOS feature, which enables you to message emergency services such as 911 and other first responders via satellite when outside cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. You can also reassure others of your whereabouts while boating outside cell range by opening the Find My iPhone app and sharing your location via satellite. The service uses the Globalstar satellite network and requires a clear view of the sky, as is the case with all portable satellite communicators. The service is free for the first two years after activating the iPhone 14 or 14 Pro.

The post Six Affordable Satellite Communications Devices appeared first on Boating Mag.

Advice about how to back up a trailer is right there with “docking advice” and “how much power do I need” as the most common reader questions of all time.

Boating’s experts agree that practice is the biggest key. Find an empty parking lot or ­visit a launch ramp on a chilly, ­midweek day. Then, back up to “­targets” such as cones, sawhorses, beach chairs, cardboard boxes, or whatever you’ve got that you won’t mind hitting.

Naturally, we want to give you more than just general advice, even if it is very good. So, I asked our most ­experienced trailer boaters—John Tiger, Randy Vance and Jim ­Hendricks—to each offer their top tip for backing a trailer. Their approaches are ­similar. But, because the sciences of logic and linguistics tell us that tautology—repeating an idea in a ­different way—can make for effective communication, we present these three voices. Don’t take this tautological trio for granted!

John Tiger

“My ‘tip’ is to use whatever works best, makes you the most comfortable, and gives your best result,” says John Tiger, longtime Boating contributing editor and ­proprietor of Tiger Outboards, ­Virginia Beach, Virginia. “I use a ­combination of techniques.

“First, when possible, I look over my right shoulder through the rear window when backing, guiding the trailer using the steering wheel to move it into position. I revert to this method most often because that’s how I was taught by my father so many years ago. When that’s not feasible, I use the rearview and side mirrors in combination with my left hand at the bottom of the steering wheel, moving my hand and the wheel to the right or left depending on which way I want the trailer to go.

“In extreme cases where the area is tight and visibility very limited, I will open the driver’s side door and back the trailer while looking over my left shoulder (not recommended unless you’re very aware of your ­surroundings and your ability to back confidently).”

Randy Vance

Boating’s BoatingLab ­Director, Editor-at-Large for parent company Bonnier LLC, and host of hundreds of Boating videos, Randy Vance knows how to handle a boat on a trailer. ­Besides his professional resume, which includes towing boats cross-country, across mountain ranges and across deserts, Vance is a longtime owner of trailerable boats (though he now lives on the water).

The tip he offers is simple: “I keep my hands on the bottom of the steering wheel. If you do that, the trailer will move in the direction you push the wheel. “Naturally, multiple small corrections work better than large swings of the wheel.”

Vance prefers not to look through his rear window, instead relying on the view provided by the tow vehicle’s side-view mirrors.

Read Next: Quick Fixes for Trailer-Light Troubles

Jim Hendricks

“When backing a trailer, I never look through the rear window,” says Boating’s West Coast and Electronics Editor, who trailers his own boat, Split Decision, and other vessels, all over ­California and the American West. “It can make for confusion as your perspective changes from forward to back. Instead, I rely on my side-view mirrors and have a technique that I find helpful.

“I advise keeping the ­trailer in view in both side-view ­mirrors at the same time. This can’t be done all the time. But it is worth striving for because doing so essentially means you are backing up straight. So, when backing up with the boat on the trailer, hands on top of the steering wheel, turn the wheel toward the mirror in which the trailer is showing. Doing so will move the trailer to the ‘empty’ mirror.”

The post Expert Tips for Backing a Trailer appeared first on Boating Mag.

Grundéns has been making clothing for professional boaters and anglers for more than 100 years. In recent years, the company has applied its “sea creds” to rugged, handsome sportswear including shirts, pants and footwear. The full range of products spans from waterfront eateries to yacht parties to working boats to fish-fighting cockpits. Here’s how our fave three we worked out in our tests.

Grundéns Seaknit Boat Shoe

Cool comfort, stability and quick-drying attributes make this a great deck shoe. The Seaknit might be our favorite thanks to its stretchy nylon upper and shock- absorbing sole that flares from the foot to the floor, adding as much as an inch more surface contact of the razor-siped, shallow-lugged soles. Like the Chukka model, this shoe won’t pick up rocks and mar the deck. It slipped on without unlacing and stayed snug for stability and traction.

Pros: These shoes aren’t water-resistant, but they do shed some amount of water thanks to the tongueless design. With short socks, they provide a desert-dry experience; without socks, they manage to breathe nearly as well for all-day comfort.

Cons: We found the sides of the gray soles would mark the inwales of our boat, so we switched to models with white soles.

Best On: Ideal for the beach and wade-fishing, and summer days when foot protection, traction, cool comfort and fast-drying attributes are essential.

Price: $119.99; grundens.com

Grundéns Deviation 6-inch Ankle Boot

Waterproof foot protection and traction make these boots work from deck to farm to beach to deck again. These half-boots slip on easily and fit snugly for optimal traction and stability. Nylon-lined with a contoured foot bed, the boots are comfortable with heavy socks or no socks. Tread blocks are aggressive enough to be useful on wet grass but also kind to decks without carrying pebbles aboard. After a year’s frequent wear, the anti-odor liner still harbors no offensive aromas, and the boots are surprisingly cool, even in summer.

Pros: Provided a dry ride with enough breathability to avoid moisture buildup. The foot bed is contoured, and the upper provides good protection. It didn’t track in rocks and left no marks.

Cons: They are heavier than the Seaknit model and slower to dry if they flood.

Best On: They can’t be beat on a working deck, double for winter wear, and are great on cold or rainy days when worn with rain gear.

Price: $134.99 to $139.99; grundens.com

Read Next: How to Pick the Right Boat Shoes

Grundéns Freeboard Wool Chukka

These shoes offer ankle support, traction, warmth and deck-safe treads. The Marino wool in the uppers is warm, naturally antimicrobial and odor-resistant. The soles were nonmarking in our tests, and comfort was top-shelf. They slipped on easily when unlaced. They also breathed well, eliminating moisture buildup, and offered the lateral support that can only be appreciated on a moving, rolling and rocking deck. They are available in light- or dark-gray colors called Metal and Anchor.

Pros: Wool insulates even when wet. The razor sipes on the sole grip smooth surfaces, squeegeeing water aside for a firm grip. Larger tread blocks separated by shallow channels funnel away water without picking up rocks. The soles did not mark or scuff our deck.

Cons: The shoes will keep your feet warm, but when your feet are wet, they are still wet. We found the shoes did dry quickly in the sun.

Best On: Cold but dry decks when circumstances call for sporty fashion.

Price: $134.99; grundens.com

The post Three Grundéns Shoes Made for Boating appeared first on Boating Mag.